- Guile

Not sure why that's funny... Id deal those two for Tarasenko and Parayko or Benn and Honka. Again, Im not advocating trading either, just saying that with some of the players out there who could be available I don't think they are completely off the table.

We’re really over reacting to a back to back dud on a West Coast trip here, guys. Not the best road trip, but we’ve been short handed and now Hornqvist is back and each day brings us closer to Schultz. Take the L and move on.
- Victoro311

Of course they don't need to blow it up but if the Pens aren't good enough as constructed to go deep in the playoffs.

I generally like Pettersson but he might be the softest defenseman I've ever seen
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Dude, he had his first really bad game in a Pens jersey. And no, he's not a physical dman, but who cares? They don't all have to be.

Of course they don't need to blow it up but if the Pens aren't good enough as constructed to go deep in the playoffs.
- MacPatty

I don't disagree with this statement at the moment, but I think Schultz could make a massive positive impact. Right now we only have one defensive pairing that can facilitate offense. Granted, they're elite at it, but the other two are completely inept at it. Once we get Schultz back, we can ice blue liners that can facilitate breakouts to our forwards for about 3/4ths of the game and hide the third pairing.

Major tinkering, if we decide to do it, should be done in the offseason. I think making a huge move right now when we don't have a very important piece, would be hasty and could really backfire.

Dude, he had his first really bad game in a Pens jersey. And no, he's not a physical dman, but who cares? They don't all have to be.
- Rinosaur

That wasn't his first bad game. The third pairing has really been struggling hard for about five games now. Granted its probably mostly due to Johnson, but Pettersson isn't that good.

Anyone remember Geno’s Dad saying something about Dallas almost getting Geno? It was a long time ago but I remember something there about it.

That wasn't his first bad game. The third pairing has really been struggling hard for about five games now. Granted its probably mostly due to Johnson, but Pettersson isn't that good.
- Victoro311

I said "really bad game." He was awful last night.

I disagree about Pettersson. I think he's a solid third pairing dman and as bad as that pairing is, it's actually been better since his arrival.

I just hear the rumors out of St Louis about Tarasenko, Schenn, Parayko and Pietrangelo all possibly being available and get excited about a blockbuster.

Brassard to the oilers seems like a no brainer. Really a perfect fit with a GM who overpays. Pretty sure Montreal was one of the teams in on Johnson in the off-season... Just saying.
- MacPatty

Brassard is going to want to get paid and EDM has McDavid, Drais, RNH all capable of playing top 6 center roles better than Brass. I don’t think that’s a fit. Montreal also has too many defensemen as it is, in fact a number of teams have a surplus of expendeble D-men

Brassard is going to want to get paid and EDM has McDavid, Drais, RNH all capable of playing top 6 center roles better than Brass. I don’t think that’s a fit. Montreal also has too many defensemen as it is, in fact a number of teams have a surplus of expendeble D-men
- WSCTeton17

There's a reason why lackluster LDs are so easy to get at the deadline. Every single team has them. They have almost no trade value for a team trying to make a hockey trade.

There's a reason why lackluster LDs are so easy to get at the deadline. Every single team has them. They have almost no trade value for a team trying to make a hockey trade.
- Victoro311

Yup, and as always RHD are at a premium. I don’t think anyone knows what the answer is with Malkin rn. I think he needs some time on the wing and I think Sheahan should cover up for him for a bit. Maybe one period is enough, idk but he needs something

Brassard is going to want to get paid and EDM has McDavid, Drais, RNH all capable of playing top 6 center roles better than Brass. I don’t think that’s a fit. Montreal also has too many defensemen as it is, in fact a number of teams have a surplus of expendeble D-men
- WSCTeton17

Chia is fighting for his job and has to make the playoffs

If he thinks Brass can even out his lineup, then he'll make that deal and mortgage the future to do it, even if it's just for this year

Chia is fighting for his job and has to make the playoffs

If he thinks Brass can even out his lineup, then he'll make that deal and mortgage the future to do it, even if it's just for this year
- RoloTahmasee

I don’t think even Chiarelli would mortgage the future to get Brassard. If Brassard is such a good fit then why doesn’t he just get Hayes? If I’m under the gun and fighting for my job I don’t take a big risk, I take a huge swing and try and knock one out of the park. There are plenty of impactful players to target that are, you know, actually making an impact. Anyways, the rumor is that EDM is looking to unload a goalie while they upgrade (which doesn’t really make sense to me since depth is obviously important) BUT if they’re looking for trade partners then Ottawa, St.Louis, Philly, and Anaheim all make more sense than Pitt IMO

It's pretty amazing to me that between them shuffling Oleksiak and Riikola, that they don't try one game without JJ. The coaching staff is either being blind or stubborn.

Furthering the discussion about Brassard to EDM, they definitely need a scoring winger and likely help on D. Obviously they hope Klefbom returns after the break, but I think MoJo and Lovejoy out of NJ could be a successful low risk move for EDM. It likely wouldn’t cost them a ton and they’re not in “cup or bust” mode but they are looking for long term fits. I think these are two versatile, cost-effective players who could be a fit for them for possibly the next few years. This shouldn’t cost them a 1st rounder either

It's pretty amazing to me that between them shuffling Oleksiak and Riikola, that they don't try one game without JJ. The coaching staff is either being blind or stubborn.
- Rinosaur

I don't think they're blind or stubborn. Sullivan's boss made a horrible signing and backed it up with inexplicable statements. There's a lot of trying to "save face" for JR going on here. Plus.... just like with Cullen, coaches hate to embarrass proud vets.

You'd think at some point winning will become more important than these things, but I'm starting to wonder.

Personally, I'd role with Maatta and Riikola until Schultz is back.

I don't think they're blind or stubborn. Sullivan's boss made a horrible signing and backed it up with inexplicable statements. There's a lot of trying to "save face" for JR going on here. Plus.... just like with Cullen, coaches hate to embarrass proud vets.

You'd think at some point winning will become more important than these things, but I'm starting to wonder.

Personally, I'd role with Maatta and Riikola until Schultz is back.
- madmike71

I recall HCMS making some strong statements about JJ and his abilities. Probably loves his ‘attitude’

I don't think they're blind or stubborn. Sullivan's boss made a horrible signing and backed it up with inexplicable statements. There's a lot of trying to "save face" for JR going on here. Plus.... just like with Cullen, coaches hate to embarrass proud vets.

You'd think at some point winning will become more important than these things, but I'm starting to wonder.

Personally, I'd role with Maatta and Riikola until Schultz is back.
- madmike71

I'd at LEAST try a few games without JJ to see how the team plays.

I'd at LEAST try a few games without JJ to see how the team plays.
- Rinosaur

The team has played very well with him and bad with him. He's trusted by coaches to take on PK time too. He's not the cause of the bad defensive lapses I particularly watched last night. You were there in the rink and I'm pretty sure you've noticed a bad defensive team game. Countless breakaways against us, 2 on 1s... just a bad game.

The team has played very well with him and bad with him. He's trusted by coaches to take on PK time too. He's not the cause of the bad defensive lapses I particularly watched last night. You were there in the rink and I'm pretty sure you've noticed a bad defensive team game. Countless breakaways against us, 2 on 1s... just a bad game.
- Barnaby36

I’m not sure why you’re so stubborn about JJ. Because you argued hard for giving him a chance?

Give it up. He’s absolutely horrid and one of the worst dmen in the league. All I’m saying is if they’re going rotate some of their bottom dmen around, try a game or two without him and evaluate.

Missed the last game as I was exhausted from taking out a huge white pine near the driveway that was dropping sap on the cars. Many large limbs were drug. Plus we went to this cool place called the Iron Rooster in Baltimore. 10 oz. ribeye with chumichuri sauce, fries and garlicky sauteed kale. Several beers. Plus salad and a pop tart, mixed berry the size of my head with icing and whipped cream. Home made and so good. Moved from Cumberland, MD to Sykesville, MD to be near my kids and one and only grandchild. Looked like it was close till the third period. Oh well.

Simon-Crosby-Guentzel
Rust-Malkin-Hornqvist
Pearson-Spezza-Kessel
Wilson-Sheahan-ZAR

Dumo-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Oleksiak-Kola

Murray
DeSmith

PP2: Guentzel-Spezza-Simon
Schultz-Kola

We’re really over reacting to a back to back dud on a West Coast trip here, guys. Not the best road trip, but we’ve been short handed and now Hornqvist is back and each day brings us closer to Schultz. Take the L and move on.
- Victoro311

Indeed.

I’m not sure why you’re so stubborn about JJ. Because you argued hard for giving him a chance?

Give it up. He’s absolutely horrid and one of the worst dmen in the league. All I’m saying is if they’re going rotate some of their bottom dmen around, try a game or two without him and evaluate.
- Rinosaur

9 games out of 10 Dumo is going to be solid

9 games out of 10 JJ is going to be awful.

It’s oretty much just how it is. Yes Dumo may have been bad, but he is good way more than he is bad. JJ is bad way more than he is good. That’s just the way it is. There’s a reason why JJ leads the team by 9 goals on goals against at 5v5 while providing dog poop offense at 5v5.

The team has played very well with him and bad with him. He's trusted by coaches to take on PK time too. He's not the cause of the bad defensive lapses I particularly watched last night. You were there in the rink and I'm pretty sure you've noticed a bad defensive team game. Countless breakaways against us, 2 on 1s... just a bad game.
- Barnaby36

I was on the wait and see train this past off-season with Johnson. And no he constantly goes out of position it's like Bad. Not quite as bad as hunwick but damn close.

9 games out of 10 Dumo is going to be solid

9 games out of 10 JJ is going to be awful.

It’s oretty much just how it is. Yes Dumo may have been bad, but he is good way more than he is bad. JJ is bad way more than he is good. That’s just the way it is. There’s a reason why JJ leads the team by 9 goals on goals against at 5v5 while providing dog poop offense at 5v5.
- j.boyd919

Exactly no one is gonna rag on Dumo because of 8 bad games he might have this year. And JJ's offense is about as common as a unicorn. If he was taking chances and getting out of position and bringing offense we could live with that on the third pair. But no he just gets out of position playing simple defense.